MLB Futures – American League Central

Expect a Tight Race

Our AL Central futures pick sees this division as being the tightest in the league. This AL Central futures pick observes that the odds makers like the Minnesota Twins, but they also acknowledge that the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox have a shot at the title.

The odds, with three teams looking promising, certainly make this pick a tough one. What about the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers? Miracles can happen. But do they happen in the AL Central?

AL Central Futures Pick – Teams

The AL Central is a mishmash of teams that are maybe good enough. This is one division where more than half of the teams could possibly take the title. Our AL Central futures pick finds that this group will be a tossup. Let’s take a look at who’s who.

Chicago White Sox

Chicago has posted seven losing seasons in a row. It looks like 2020 could be different. The White Sox’s rebuilding efforts look like they could pay off this season. In the off-season, they signed six free agents, including starter Dallas Kuechel, DH Edwin Encanracion, and catcher Yasmani Grandal. Plus, the Sox have plenty of talented young players who possess a lot of potential.

Cleveland Indians

Terry Francona could be the best manager in the game. Despite losing starter Corey Kluber, the Tribe has some fine pitchers in Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber. Although the Indians have a fine scouting organization, they have not solved the club’s outfield issues. Cleveland needs a major upgrade in that area.

Detroit Tigers

In 2020, we expect three straight losing seasons to turn into four for these Tigers. Miguel Cabrera is a superstar, but the rest of the team is lacking. New faces include Austin Romine, C.J. Cron, and Jonathan Schoop. However, don’t expect them to add much more than a few extra win’s to the Tiger ledger.

Kansas City Royals

New ownership brings unanswered questions concerning budget. Will the Royals finally start spending some big cash to build a contender or will they continue to simply put a below-average team on the field? Since general manager Dayton Moore has been retained, we expect more of the same from the organization. New manager Mike Matheny last managed the Cardinals. Results were mixed at best. Like the Tigers, the Royals have one major talent, center fielder Whit Merrifield. But there are no one-man teams in the MLB.

Minnesota Twins

Manager Rocco Baldelli will try to recreate 2019, his first season, when he won 100-plus games. That won’t be easy. The infield has holes in it and the pitching staff is flawed. DH Nelson Cruz is a major talent, but he’s also getting long in the tooth. Although the Twins are favored to win the division, this has more to do with the team having taken the Central last season than anything else.

AL Central Futures Pick– Intangibles, Variables & Other Factors

One major questions is how far can the reconstituted White Sox go? They have the talent to go all the way but will they gel? Baldelli managers the Twins for a second season. He proved to have some magic powers last season. Will they return in 2020? For the Indians, what manager Terry Franco does during, after, and before games could be the difference maker. The Royals need more to put a winner on the field. Still, might they do so? Only if they’re willing to shell out some real cash. Finally, the Tigers don’t have much bite. There’s little hope in the Motor City for this team.

Final Word – AL Central Futures Pick

It would be simple and natural to sat the Minnesota Twins will take the Central. Another logical choice would be the Cleveland Indians. Lately, they always seem to be in the hunt. But AL Central futures pick is neither team. We like the Chicago White Sox in 2020.

Paul has been writing about sports betting and sports for more than a decade, offering picks on the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA, as well as on college sports and European football. He's written thousands of season and post-season previews, innumerable articles on sports betting strategies, and various books on sports and sports betting.